Saturday, April 25, 2015

Nepal Needs Your Help

Nepal declared a state of emergency on April 25th after an earthquake, later confirmed by the United States Geological Survey to be a magnitude 7.8, wrought havoc on the nearby capital of Katmandu, fifty-kilometers from the epicenter of the quake. As far afield as Northern India, Bangladesh and China, the impact of the quake was felt and the number of those killed continues to rise.
The current count places the number of dead in Nepal over 4,000 and in India at 72. This brings the current total in these four nations to approximately 4,365 . What has made this earthquake particularly devastating has been its closeness to the surface, at only around 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) below ground.
The earthquake also triggered avalanches on Mount Everest. Ten people, among them Google Executive, Dan Fredinburg, have reportedly been killed. Others are feared trapped. Almost immediately after the earthquake, India's Prime Minister ordered for resources to be mobilized in an effort to assist in Nepal, as well as in India.
Humanitarian organizations, such as the Red Cross, are imperative in these circumstances and even more so in underdeveloped countries like Nepal. Search and rescue missions with the help of k9 search dogs will make it possible for people to be rescued in time. Aid organizations are also crucial for getting medical supplies, water and basic forms of shelter to those affected. I urge all who can to make a contribution to any of these organizations or any other trustworthy organization. UNICEF: https://www.unicefusa.org/donate/nepal-earthquake-help-children-now/24226Global Giving: http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/nepal-earthquake-relief-fund/American Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/donate/neu0215-m?donationProdId=prod10001&retrieveData=1&campaignId=5500004&flow=oc1Crowd Rise: https://www.crowdrise.com/nepalearthquakefund